• Graduate Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology
• Graduate Periodontics
• Graduate Dental Hygiene

Graduate Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology - Paul C. Edwards, Director

About the Program

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is pleased to announce the establishment of a 36-month advanced education program in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, sponsored by the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine.

The program has received Initial Accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Successful completion of the program will lead to a certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and will qualify the graduate to take the specialty examination of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. A Master of Science in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology is available through the Rackham Graduate School. The opportunity to enroll in a PhD program in Oral Health Sciences is available to qualified candidates.

The program offers a broad range of training in microscopic (anatomic) pathology, clinical pathology, clinical oral pathology/oral medicine and research. The School of Dentistry runs an active oral and maxillofacial pathology surgical pathology biopsy service. Residents will also spend a minimum of 12 months in the Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan Hospital rotating through anatomic and clinical pathology. Although residents will receive a broad exposure to all areas of microscopic pathology, an emphasis will be placed on rotations in head and neck pathology, dermatopathology and oral and maxillofacial pathology.

Clinical oral pathology patients are seen in specialty clinics at the School of Dentistry, the University of Michigan Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

Research opportunities are available within the School of Dentistry, in the Department of Pathology at the Medical School and in other graduate divisions throughout the University.

Program Goals and Objectives

In keeping with the mission of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, the goal of the advanced education program in oral and maxillofacial pathology is to educate future oral and maxillofacial pathologists who will become leaders in the specialty.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology is an advanced specialty of dentistry that is focused on four general principles: patient care, research, education, and service. The main goal of the program is to teach the scientific basis of oral and maxillofacial pathology specialty practice based on these 4 principles. Specifically, the objectives are:

1. to train specialists who are capable of providing a high level of care to patients with complex oral and systemic diseases. This includes initial patient assessment/disease diagnosis by means of both clinical patient assessment and the examination of human pathologic tissue (clinical and surgical pathology) as well as subsequent patient management; 
2. to provide graduates with a strong understanding of research methodology (basic science, translational and/or clinical research); 
3. to provide the graduating specialist with an understanding of educational methodology; and
4. to develop future leaders in the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology who possess a strong sense of professional responsibility and social obligation.

Student Eligibility

Residents may be eligible for a competitive stipend and benefits. Applicants must be graduates from institutions in the U.S. accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and from institutions in Canada accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. One resident will be accepted per year.

Applying to the Oral Pathology Graduate Program

For more information, contact the office of admissions
email :  ddsadmissions@umich.edu
phone:  734-763-3316
fax:  734-764-1922

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Periodontics - Hom-Lay Wang, Director

The graduate program in Periodontics has three major objectives: (1) to teach the scientific basis of specialty practice; (2) to insure a high level of competence in the diagnosis of oral diseases, treatment planning both periodontics and dental implants, comprehensive therapy, and follow-up of patients with periodontal diseases; and (3) to develop future leaders not only in the specialty of Periodontics, but also in the larger dental arena, with an emphasis on research and clinical aspects.

The philosophy of the program is to maximize the students' potential in clinical practice, teaching, and research. A flexible curriculum allows students to tailor courses to meet individual interests. Strong emphasis is placed on developing scholarly ability and technical proficiency, while maintaining a sense of professional responsibility and social obligation.

The certificate program requires a minimum of 30 months. Along with the core courses in periodontics, courses in physiology, oral pathology, bacteriology, therapeutics, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, oral diagnosis, implants, conscious sedation, and hospital dentistry are required. Teaching experience in both the classroom and clinic is also required.

Clinical practice will include diagnosis of oral diseases, treatment planning and comprehensive therapy using current modalities of care, occlusal therapy, limited tooth movement, and conscious sedation. Patients with craniofacial dysfunction and patients requesting dental implant therapy will be evaluated and treated following a multidisciplinary protocol.

In addition to a certificate in periodontics, courses leading to Master of Science and PhD degrees are offered through the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. Opportunities for research experiences, both at the clinical and basic science level are available within the department and the school, as well as through other programs at the University. A major research focus of our department is in the area of development, maintenance and regeneration of hard and soft tissues lost as a consequence of disease. A strong emphasis is placed on understanding risk factors associated with periodontal disease, with a particular focus on the older patient. A minimum of 45 semester credit hours, as well as a written thesis and oral defense, are required for an MS degree. A maximum of six semester credit hours is allowed for clinical practice. The PhD program will be tailored to the individual student.

« For admissions information, see Graduate Programs How to Apply.

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Dental Hygiene - Karen Ridley, Director

Admission to the graduate dental hygiene program is limited to dental hygienists who hold a baccalaureate degree (AB, BS, or equivalent) and who have a good record of scholarship in their previous education. Experience in private practice and/or teaching is desirable. The graduate program in dental hygiene is interdisciplinary, offering learning experiences in the Schools of Dentistry, Public Health, and Education. Upon successful completion of the program, including a thesis, the student is awarded the Master of Science degree by the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. The program of study can be tailored to accommodate each student's career goals. The program consists of a core of required courses and a sequence of electives. The core consists of courses in research methodology, biostatistics, health care management, educational design, investigation leading to the thesis, a seminar on current issues in dental hygiene, and a practicum. The electives portion of the program permits a student to enroll in a sequence of courses in a specific area of interest such as clinical research, geriatrics, dental public health, education or oral biology. Graduates of the program are prepared to function in the roles of administrator, researcher, educator, and health promoter. The program of study may be pursued on a part-time basis.

« For more information, see Graduate Dental Hygiene.

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